MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS

{Our DEEPER Reach In Bedroom Closet}

2013-05-25T16:00:00.000-04:00

As promised in my previous post: {Less Office Space in Return for Our DEEPER Reach In Closet...}, today I like to show you the finished DEEPER Reach In Bedroom Closet. Finally got the photos done with good enough light.

That's our Reach In Closet as seen from the corner of this bedroom...

You can see from the wall depth that this one was not deep at all, the way it got initially build.

That's the reason we did open up the wall and went inside the office, happily sacrificing 16" or 41 cm of office space.

The wood inlay horse is a gift from our Consulting period for Pond's India Ltd.

You can see the sun is shining, even in late afternoon...

Even with the indoor shutters partially closed, still some glare on those bi-fold closet doors.

The wool rug on the oak chest is also a gift from Pond's India Ltd. in appreciation of our Consulting work.

We treasure those things. Below this post you find a link to a previous post I did about it.

All done in wool embroidered chain stitch!

The white Teddy Bear has been hand stitched by Pieter's Mother when she was already in her early 90s. She made incredible handwork all her life. For many a trousseau she embroidered table cloths and napkins!

The tiny Teddy bear I found in the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines' business class after someone left it in a seat...

I was quick to pick it up to add it to this Mama bear; giving them the same matching pink ribbon bow and voilà!

The other side where you see two of my cross stitch embroidery works, done on velvet.

The light weight summer down duvets and duvet covers and pillow cases are from the Yves Delorme Outlet. If you sign in for newsletters you get notified when they have special sales like on the French Bastille Day in July.

View from behind the bed now and you see the twin silk chain stitch embroidered wall hangings that each of us got as a gift from Pond's India Ltd. for our Consulting work.

It was 16:38 o'clock when I took these photos...

I had to wait this long for not having the painters with their ladders in front of the window!

Womby the wombat from Australia is sitting on the oak chest. He came home with us after our Consulting work in Australia for Campbell's Soup.

By the way, the oak chest used to be a planter box but my brother Harry crafted a solid lid for it and brought it over on their flight to the USA in 1986. Talking about pre-9/11 times. Everything would fly back then! No problem, you just checked it in. Now you are so limited...

In the corner you see two oak Barrister book cases where I keep my stationery and books for classes etc.

Japan is represented here as well. A gift from some Japanese visitors as we had one as our house guest.

The paint color for walls and ceiling is Benjamin Moore Early Sunset.

We have that upstairs for our bedrooms and bathrooms.

What is that dangling down from the ceiling you ask...

That's one of our many Energy Star Ceiling Fans from WAYFAIR.

We always try for 'Going Green'!

You can find a link below my post...

The Madonna cross stitch embroidery is done by Pieter's Mother when she was in her early 90s!

On the children's stool is Boomer, a gift from a Dutch business man who was a good friend of us and my youngest brother Jan also used to work for him.

So many people have stayed in these beds as a guest over those 30 years...

I could write a book about it!

Voilà our DEEPER Reach In Bedroom Closet!

Husband Pieter did install me those white Shelf & Rod shelving.

We had them already since 1990 but of course now we changed height and certain lengths.

Our ceilings are high enough for having two layers PLUS a top shelf.

Home Depot has all you need; at least that's our source for the USA...

For reaching that top shelf, I use this little step.

You can see the additional (not quite matching) solid oak planks from Bruce.

To the side, extra long items can be hung now and to the back my belts are all hanging.

Since we have our Rose Suite now downstairs (added after living in this house for 14 years) guests seldom need to use this room, only if there are e.g. children with their Parents.

My purses are on the shelves in their dust bags. Room for everything.

Box with recipes to sort through one day...

Hats on the top shelf and extra peluw pillows or as they are called here: bolsters.

Scarves for winter...

Seasonal things like woolen stoles, capes, ear muffs etc. are all on top. Even Pieter's heart that he got when he had his open heart surgery in September of 2010.

Considering that, we both are blessed that he is able to do all this again!

Nice light from the ceiling and one more long light just above the bi-fold doors against the wall.

Stay tuned for our 'Office with Less Space,' which I will show soon...

So what you say?

{HEARTFELT THANK YOU to ALL OF MY 500 FOLLOWERS!}

2013-05-23T18:23:00.000-04:00

Sorry but I have had no time to finish the follow up post about our DEEPER Reach In Closet in the Guest Bedroom. That will come next; promise!

BUT it is also VERY important for taking the time to say a HEARTFELT THANK YOU to all of my 500 FOLLOWERS!

THANK YOU ALL!

On February 20, my blog's TRUE Presence was 1840 in my post: {How is YOUR Blog's TRUE Presence on the WEB?} so that is a steady increase since than.

Stay tuned for several exciting updates!

At least you will get to know what we've been up to lately...

Wishing all US Citizens a meaningful Memorial Weekend!

{Less Office Space in Return for Our DEEPER Reach In Closet...}

2013-05-22T18:57:00.000-04:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

On February 19, we did start with the renovation of our office and guest bed room, where we created a deeper reach in closet. One can easily do with less office space in return for a deeper reach in closet... What do you say?

Standing in the door opening, the closet from the guest bedroom is visible...

Built into the office, but we happily sacrificed this loss of floor space!

Husband Pieter used broomsticks and whatever, for hanging my clothes temporarily over the tub in the guest bathroom and over its bi-fold closet doors.

Out of the way and out of the DUST...

No need to use that bathroom anyway.

I did host a dinner on the 23rd of February and we had our dinner guests use the master bathroom instead.

This is the office before the wall got opened up.

Floor stripped bare before adding also a solid oak plank floor from Bruce.

Pieter had done all the preparation before the contractor took over.

Out came the wall and the carpenter is already putting the solid oak planks in place inside the deepened closet.

Looking into the closet from the office...

New light also will be placed from the ceiling and from above the inside of those bi-fold doors.

I never could find anything before and things were too tight inside.

February 20, the new walls are now closed up and the solid oak plank flooring is already laid.

New double outlet in wall.

Not done yet... sanding and caulking before the painter could finish up.

View from the office into the hallway. Smokey our feline boy is sleeping in his pet bed...

New crown molding added at the top...

Photo from inside closet. You can tell how much has been added...

Yep, that much has been added. The exact same solid oak plank floor, which we had in the other rooms was no longer available. But when the white wire Shelf & Rod shelving is installed again, no one will see the difference!

Do you also love deep enough closets with plenty of light?

This narrow reach in closet almost became a walk in closet because we gained 16" or 41 cm!

Will show you the finished rooms next!

Mariette on Google+

{Happy 2013 Pentecost Weekend!}

2013-05-20T19:16:00.000-04:00

May this 2013 Pentecost Weekend be a very sunny and happy one for everyone. In Europe most people enjoy also a so-called Second Pentecost Day as an official holiday. Not so here in the USA. But whatever your region and lifestyle is; may it be a sunny and happy weekend.

Just like to show you these photos that got taken last Sunday after Church, wearing another Escada outfit. This time a jacket with a beautiful rose corsage in silk and wool on a white Escada jeans.

Shoes are Charles Jourdan in a taupe color, matching my taupe Chanel bag.

Silk top is by I. Magnin, San Francisco.

Sunny Sunday...

Alongside driveway in front of our Italian cypress.

In front of our garage door...

Okay, let´s get inside for our coffee and chat with Mom & Dad in The Netherlands, on the iPhone...

Tiggy-Tiger girl had to be cuddled first. She is our tiny feline...

This photo I had to make lighter due to the harsh sunlight through the curtain...

Tiggy-Tiger

Have a Happy Weekend worldwide!

{Our Exotic Epiphyllum 'Antique Gown' Blooms}

2013-05-18T18:34:00.000-04:00

It was March of 1990, when we both did consulting for Pond's India Ltd. We stayed at one of the TAJ Hotels in Ooty; the Savoy Hotel. With very nice colonial style cottages that were built between 1834-1865. The India Hotels and Resorts describes that the building once was a school for European children. From its garden we did bring home a tiny starter of this beautiful 'Antique Gown' Exotic Epiphyllum...

From the book Epiphyllum: The Splendor of Leaf Cacti by Marga Leue (see link below post) I did find its name. To my knowledge it resembles the 'Antique Gown'.

Husband Pieter in the garden of the TAJ Hotel Savoy in Ooty, India. We both fell in love with this exotic bloom!

Photo that we took from the Savoy Hotel in Ooty.

This is situated in the Nilgiri district of Karnataka state in India.

The dining room has rosewood paneling...

We always have been pampered by the companies we worked for!

You can find a great photo from the Savoy hotel, Ooty on line, just click this link.

So this is the history of our great 'Antique Gown' Epiphyllum.

On April 18, the day before we traveled by plane to Miami, on our way to Curaçao on the 20th, we spotted these buds! We were hoping that we would not miss them... Photo taken at 9:00 o'clock.

Our return was on May 1, and this photo is taken on May 3.

We made it back in time! Due to very cool weather I guess... and lots of rain.

There were now three buds, one on top and two hanging down...

Our Night Blooming Cereus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) Orchid Cactus is sitting on the same plateau to the left... They both were inside the greenhouse till spring.

On May 5, I could make this photo from the first bloom!

Majestic is this 'Antique Gown'; don't you think so?

Highly fragrant too; it can't come any better than this.

On May 6, the second bloom at the bottom opened up!

May 6, the second bloom with the third one budding out...

This photo I took at 18:30 o'clock.

Detail of 'Antique Gown' on May 6.

On May 11, at 16:00 o'clock I finally could capture the baby of those three 'Antique Gown' Epiphyllum blooms! Quite a show.

It's sister from May 6, already hanging her 'Antique Gown' down...

So for about one week we could enjoy this splendor.

Hope you enjoyed them with us!

To my best knowledge, after consulting our book by Marga Leue, we thought this to be the 'Antique Gown'.

Color varies between sunny days and clouded ones and even the time of the day gives a different hue to those blooms.

By the way, I nearly fainted when I spotted the pricing on Amazon.com for this 1987 book.

Guess we paid about $ 40.00 for it... New one is now $ 479.77!

One never knows how certain things go up in value...

Related links:
Epiphyllum: The Splendor of Leaf Cacti [Hardcover] book by Marga Leue 1987
{Night Blooming Cereus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) Orchid Cactus} | previous post by me
{Did YOU Ever Touch Baby Elephants?} | previous post by me
{Silk and Wool Birds as Gift from Pond's India} | previous post by me
{Birds as Artwork, we bought in India} | previous post by me
{White Indian Jasmine the Queen of Flowers} | previous post by me

Mariette on Google+

{Curaçao Vacation was also about Going Back in Time}

2013-05-16T18:51:00.000-04:00

For my husband Pieter it was the 5th time that he went to the Island of Curaçao in the Caribbean. For daughter Liz it was the 3rd time (also for me) and the 1st time for Liz's husband Hans. With Google it is great for looking up former places where you have been. When I did scan old slides I did come across this one from the 70s where Liz is sitting on the terras of the bungalow where she stayed with her Parents. It was than called Arthur Frommer and the crew from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines used it as well. Close to the airport and along Piscadera Bay. When we did rent a car and Liz driving us around the island, we literally did go back in time. It no longer is under the same name, but now it is the Floris Suite Hotel and it is designed by the famous Dutch designer Jan des Bouvrie. We did visit and had a cup of coffee near the pool. Liz could remember by the smell that it was the very same place where she stayed twice before. Indeed, we could hear a plane on the runway nearby and we also did pass on the way over the former Shell Oil Refinery that now belongs to a Venezuelan company since 1985. The very first trip Pieter made to Curaçao was on behalf of the local government. They asked him to do a feasibility study for growing mushrooms on the island of Curaçao. For that he also went by boat to Venezuela where they would have to purchase the straw. Long story short; it was not feasible mainly because of lack on ingredients. Pieter and his family did go back one more time on vacation, together with his best friend Harry and wife Suzette. Harry passed away at the age of 59 and his wife Suzette is suffering from cancer. Just talked to her and shared some fond memories...

Here Liz(zy) is sitting on the patio of the bungalow. The house number looks like 51 when enlarged...

Typical Agave and other tropical Curaçao vegetation.

From the staff we learned that still a few of those bungalows were there... So we did snap these photos and the one on the left has house number 52. So probably the one to the right was the 'old' one with number 51!

It looked like not much had changed!

On the car parked next to number 52 is written: www.bluehelicopters.com and we had no idea you could have such fabulous helicopter tours over the island!

Have you ever gone back in time during a favorite vacation with loved ones?

Related links:
{Comment about Killer Legs - Daring to Pose in my Escada Hot Pants} | previous post with photos taken in Curaçao
{Curaçao Airport on Coronation Day King Willem-Alexander} | previous post by me
Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort Curaçao | Where we were last year and again this year (formerly Hyatt)
{Flora from our Curaçao Vacation} | previous post by me
{Our Curaçao Vacation II} | previous post by me
{Back Home from Curaçao} | previous post by me
{Our Curaçao Vacation} | previous post by me
{Hyatt Regency - Santa Barbara Plantation Curaçao} | previous post by me
{Trupial or Orange Breasted Oriole - National Bird of Curaçao} | previous post by me

Mariette on Google+

Amaryllis Stargazer Blooms in Our Wood Garden}

2013-05-14T18:45:00.000-04:00

Coming home from tropical Curaçao we found several exotics blooming in our own garden. Across the creek, in our wood garden the Amaryllis Stargazer was showing off some great blooms. Just click the hyperlink to go to White Flower Farm, where we purchased it from, some 15 years ago as an indoor bulb. After it bloomed, we did plant it into the garden. Come join me for a Mariette's Back to Basics Garden Tour...

They are HUGE! But appear very happy and healthy.

Don't they look majestic...?

Four blossoms in this photo from two different plants...

Do you have any Amaryllis; either as a forced bulb or out in the garden?

Related link:
{Amaryllis White Nymph in Our Garden} | previous post by me
Amaryllis White Nymph | Link from White Flower Farm for bulb

Mariette on Google+

{Comment about Killer Legs - Daring to Pose in my Escada Hot Pants}

2013-05-12T19:00:00.000-04:00

It was Zosia from Polonica: Home Again, who did comment on my March 13, 2013 blog post: {My Green Sewing Creation}, saying that I had Killer Legs... Just scroll down by clicking on this hyperlink and you find her comment at the bottom, as the last one. Well, Zosia sure did encourage me to take my Escada Moc Croc Hot Pants with me to Curaçao and daring to pose in them!

Posing in Paradise at the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort Curaçao with the Dutch Caribbean Sea behind me, only 35 miles north of Venezuela...

Two days before departure. We enjoyed our 10 days of great relaxing.

Our free trip on American Airlines miles... one of the perks of having been consultants!

Zosia from Polonica: Home Again (see link above) did write on March 14: What a nice spring outfit. You look lovely in green and, my I say, you have killer legs and look fantastic in shorter skirts.

Thanks for the compliment Zosia! You did encourage me to wear my Escada Moc Croc Hot Pants!

The cotton t-shirt is also from Escada and shoes are Marc Cain.

We had a very happy time together as a family in this tropical paradise!

Holding on to this Caribbean dream...

This was a day before husband Pieter's birthday. The reason of our get-together as a family.

This Escada set also comes with a jeans jacket in moc croc...

Here we are at the other side of the hotel...

Turning around for you.

Natural hair; never ever had any dye... Not bad for 62+ I guess.

How I miss those palm trees...

That jacket is really not needed out there!

Those legs did lots of walking around the resort... very healthy lifestyle we followed.

Yes, we ate a lot too! Step-daughter Liz could not believe how much I actually ate...

Not that we ought to turn away from that lifestyle, but at home it is different...

You need to prepare all the healthy food yourself!

At least climbing stairs we also do a lot here at home!

This is inside the hotel, going down to the MIDI or to the Bella Italia restaurants...

Yes, seriously...

In the lobby there was JUN'S SUSHI BAR where we also ate one night.

Already miss the sea wind blowing through my hair...

It is VERY hard to turn your back to PARADISE...

Okay, here is the real runway model from Escada...

Have any of you worn, or are wearing hot pants?

For those that celebrate Mother's Day (not the entire world); I wish you a very Happy Mother's Day!

Related link:
{New York Blue me Away - by Hedy Elisabeth my Nephew's Wife} | previous post by me showing my mini dress 39 years ago...

Mariette on Google+

{My Powder Blue Escada Jeans Suit}

2013-05-11T19:07:00.000-04:00

Just love to share this photo from last Sunday, wearing my powder blue Escada jeans suit and standing under the golden live oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold.'

The mock neck sleeveless top is part viscose with cotton and also from Escada.

The belt, shoes and Eluna bag are also Escada.

Our Spicy girl made me laugh as she wanted to get in the picture with me!

More of our golden live oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold'...

You can see it in my previous post.

♥

Yes, Outlet shopping does pay off!

Mariette on Google+

{Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' in Sunshine at its BEST}

2013-05-10T19:13:00.000-04:00

From the comments on my previous posting about our rare Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' I also did receive some questions about its golden color. Let me tell you that right now it probably will be at its BEST and in the Sunshine it looks spectacular. That true gold color will fade away partly during late summer. But no matter what season, we always enjoy this tree! Hope you also will enjoy these pictures that I share with you today. May your spring or autumn be equally rewarding; depending on which hemisphere you are living!

Picture is taken on Wednesday, May 8 in mid afternoon...

It is quite a show case!

Related links:
{Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' with Catkins} | Previous post by me

{Cloudy Day versus Sunny Day}| Previous post by me

{Our Golden Live Oak has LOTS of Acorns!} | previous post by me

{Our Different Oaks} | previous post by me

{My Silk Quilted Vest Creation and YOUR Opinion Requested...} | previous post by me showing golden oak

Mariette on Google+

{ LOOK - I won this IRIS GOLD Jewelry from Georgia in Greece}

2013-05-08T18:07:00.000-04:00

On Monday the postman rang the doorbell with a small parcel I had to sign for. It came from Greece... all the way from the Old World. Greece was my favorite country in history classes and look now; I won this beautiful IRIS GOLD piece of jewelry from Georgia, from: Armoniaart.blogspot.com. This hyperlink shows you all three giveaway pieces of jewelry... Georgia lives in Xylokastro, in the Korinthia region of Greece. Now, I cannot wait to show you my winning piece...

How about this beautiful 925 silver pendant with Brown-Red Zirkon on a black silk necklace by IRIS GOLD for a Giveaway from Armoniaart.blogspot.com?

It even does have small Zirconia on the bale and around the Zirkon crystal!

THANKS A MILLION dear Georgia!

Look at Georgia's beautiful handwriting...

Georgia can also be found on Bloglovin; just click the hyperlink.

Beautiful stamps from Hellas...

Georgia's handwriting in more detail...

She selected her three winners together with her daughter. Actually three pieces of incredible jewelry; one for every 100 readers she got for her blog. SO GENEROUS!

Inside the parcel was this map that was wrapped around the gift...

Map from Thassos; complimentary by IRIS GOLD - what a nice gesture!

If you can dream it, you can do it.

Great and very appropriate slogan...

This has been printed by Georgia for me; how beautifully done!

The map of Thassos shows more jewelry from IRIS Gold on one side...

And finally the little green box becomes visible!

All the way from Greece...

Bi-lingual card is used for this 925 silver pendant with brown-red Zirkon crystal.

For anyone that did fall in love with this very elegant piece, you can still order it on line.

IRIS GOLD pendant with brown-red Zirkon crystal and small white zirconias.

Just click on above hyperlink!

Does blogging not give us MUCH?!

{Blog Award from Serbia}

2013-05-07T18:35:00.000-04:00

From dear Natasha (lawyer) from Serbia who writes the blog: SMILJE-art by heart, I did receive another Blog Award on April 15. How is that for two awards on one day? One from Canada and one from Serbia. Thanks Natasha for thinking of me. Again I want to thank every one of you; old and new readers; silent ones or those that added their name to the list. Thanks for all your comments over the years and for your input. I have leaned so much from each one of you. It is a constant blessing for visiting different blogs!

One can tell how fast the viral world goes as this is the very same award that came from Canada and again, it is in Spanish.

Gracias por formar parte de mi mundo: link photo

'Thank you for being part of my world'

Wishing all my readers, world wide a very happy week!

With appreciation,

Mariette

Mariette on Google+

{Our Lovely Lilac Clematis 'Silver Moon'}

2013-05-06T18:34:00.000-04:00

Coming home from Curaçao, our garden had lots of surprises for us. One of them was our lovely lilac 'Clematis 'Silver Moon'. It is one of the large blooming varieties.

Perfect Lilac or Lavender Clematis 'Silver Moon' that spontaneously grew in our wood garden.
Maybe from seeds, spread by birds?
We got two vines now and they bloom very prolific.

These vines were kept in pots but are now ready to go to a permanent spot.

Bottom left you see a young Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' that we managed to grow from an acorn. Yesterday's post was about this rare golden variety.

As you can tell, there are also plenty of 'dollar' weeds growing.

So much for going away for 11 days... Vacation is nice but you have to catch up later!

Have a great week ahead and may your spring be rewarding as well.

Mariette on Google+

{Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' with Catkins}

2013-05-05T19:25:00.000-04:00

In previous posts, I have shown you our special Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' but never did I show you the incredible Catkins. Just before going on vacation to Curaçao, on April 15, I made these photos for sharing here with you.

Whatever stage of the year, this tree is a show case! Look at those Catkins...
No wonder that we got a visitor from the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville, Florida for some cuttings in order to propagate it. We seem to be the only one with this species and we are very proud of it!
You can also find Kanapaha Botanical Gardens on FB.

An almost 24 K Golden Dream...

All those Catkins hanging downward...

Green leaves and new golden ones...

Striking contrast with the new and old leaves...

Stepping back a bit...

To the right you can see our driveway...
Old brown leaves fall off as even evergreen trees DO shed!

Several brown leaves on the ground already...

This photo is taken from the balcony down...
Quite striking for having such a golden touch in our garden!
Our bridge across the creek you can see in the back.

The tall tree to the right behind the Golden Oak is also an oak tree with young green leaves.

Photos taken on a dark and dreary day before we left for the tropics.

The exact same weather, including some rain, we have had seen since we returned from Curaçao...

Enjoy your weekend!

Related links:
{Cloudy Day versus Sunny Day}| Previous post by me
{Our Golden Live Oak has LOTS of Acorns!} | previous post by me
{Our Different Oaks} | previous post by me
{My Silk Quilted Vest Creation and YOUR Opinion Requested...} | previous post by me showing golden oak

Mariette on Google+

{Blog Award & Update}

2013-05-04T16:55:00.000-04:00

On April 15, I did receive an award from Laura, from the blog: My Little Sewing Room. Thanks again Laura! I have written to her that I would mention this after our vacation on the Island of Curaçao in the Caribbean. So here it is; finally posted.

Gracias por formar parte de mi mundo: link photo.

Funny that this is in Spanish but it says: Thank you for being part of my world.

That's exactly what I like to say to all my loyal readers that leave comments for me; even when I can't get to my PC at times for visiting them.

We are a special world and there is a lot of bonding going on.

Together we try to exist in an economy that is not the same as in the 80s.

But I do admire the thousands of women, world wide, that create the most beautiful things for their home, for themselves or for others. So many talents about!
For that very reason I will not pass it on to others as all of you are very deserving of an award!
Welcome to my newest followers and I hope you find something of your interest here.

In Curaçao I did do some cross stitching but being there, together as a family, there was not that much time for doing so. My special +6.00 reading glasses did help me tremendously though, considering that I have to always work with only one eye. One day I will be able to show you the results. Last year in Curaçao I did finish the edging around the Antique French Knotted Filet Lace.
Wishing you all a happy weekend and thanks for visiting!

{TIP for Fine Needlework SUPER POWER READERS} | previous post by me

{Crochet Edging on Antique French Knotted Filet Lace} | previous post by me

Mariette on Google+

{Curaçao Airport on Coronation Day King Willem-Alexander}

2013-05-03T16:10:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday, April 30 was the Coronation Day of the Dutch King Willem-Alexander. We were lucky for being still on the Island of Curaçao, for our family vacation of 10 days at the Santa Barbara Resort. Enjoying our tropical environment, together with daughter Liz and husband Hans, who flew in from The Netherlands to be with us for celebrating Pieter's Birthdays on April 23 and 29. THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the comments on Pieter's Birthday! It meant a lot to all of us and I will be back soon at your blogs.

By the way, on April 23, Pieter turned 20, as a USA citizen!

We could watch the Coronation ceremonies from our hotel room via Live TV stream of NOS Journaal; Dutch broadcasting. When we did arrive at 1:00 PM at the airport we were in for a Royal Treat in honor of King Willem-Alexander's Coronation Day.

Cupcakes with an orange crown made for some great treats to all passengers willing to take one!

Image by examiner.com

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima in her elegant royal blue gown by Dutch designer Jan Taminiau.

The Dutch have a new Queen of Fashion by the Argentine blonde, Máxima!

Husband Pieter enjoyed it very much. He ate already an orange glazed Tompouce (Napoleon) pastry and now the cupcake goes down as sweet lunch food! Just click the link above for recipe and historical information...

The colors of the Dutch flag: Red - White - Blue were shown as well as tiny flags on each cupcake.
There were two flights going to Amsterdam but the one showing at gate 3 was not the one for Liz & Hans...
We got so lucky for arriving almost at the same time; only 15 minutes after KLM landed, we got there on our American Airlines flight for frequent flyer miles. Great service by that airline we must say!
Our departure was also 20 minutes apart from each other. We departed from gate 4 and Liz & Hans from gate 1...

Orange balloons on the floor; it looked very festive!

Very nice presentation...

At another table, ladies in orange shirts were offering the typical Dutch 'Bitter Ballen' from which I did taste one. Long ago that I had one, typically being served at weddings during reception and at parties.
Customary these Bitter Balls were being served alongside Bitters such as Dutch Gin or in this case, Dutch Oranje Bitter (Orange Bitter). Click the above link for Dutch Beef Bitterballen recipe and info.

Another Dutch treat are Poffertjes or Pancake Puffs.
Click above link again, for recipe of Classic Poffertjes.

So that's why I have been missing several blog posts... We're back home since yesterday morning at 2:30 AM. It took us about as long as it took Liz & Hans for flying home, with a stop in Miami for going through immigration, re-check of luggage and on to Atlanta.

Related articles:
Curaçao Airport | Find out more about this great tropical destination.
Willem-Alexander sworn in as king of the Netherlands after his mother abdicates | Dutch Caribbean Legal Portal
King Willem-Alexander will be inaugurated, not crowned | Dutch Caribbean Legal Portal
Maxima's parents will watch Dutch coronation on TV | Hello Magazine - Royalty
Queen Maxima gives nod to Dutch flag with cobalt blue gown | Hello Magazine - Royalty
Willem-Alexander Becomes New Dutch King After Queen Beatrix Abdicates The Throne (VIDEO, PHOTOS) | Huffington Post
Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort Curaçao | Where we were last year and again this year (formerly Hyatt)

Mariette on Google+

{Etiquette Tips by Replacements Ltd. by Etiquette Coach Jill Slatter}

2013-05-02T18:42:00.000-04:00

Just love to share with you this video from Replacements Ltd.

Miss Slatter does a great job and I only can emphasize this kind of approach. Wish more of this could be done! Those that don't live in my immediate area, for attending some of my 'Learn from Mariette' etiquette classes, can always pick up some great tips from this classy lady! Enjoy video below.

Mariette on Google+

{My Escada Outlet Score & Exotic Plants}

2013-05-01T19:12:00.000-04:00

As you may know by now, my favorite fashion label is Escada as it fits me like no other. Since a size 4 most of the time ends up on sale at the Premium Outlets or at Last Call by Neiman Marcus, I'm very lucky to snatch them up at great bargains. On April 6, Catherine from the blog Corner of Cat's Mind did a post about her being a size 4 now. 'The slimmer you are, the more clothes you can buy on sale'. See link to this below post.

That's me next to the Southern Magnolia... in a linen Escada top over cotton Escada jeans with Chanel sandals from Last Call by Neiman Marcus.

That Southern Magnolia makes for a great back drop to the yellow.

Showing you the exotic seeds from the Southern Magnolia...

This is me standing next to our exotic agave that came as a tiny starter from Valle de Bravo in Mexico when we were at the lake house with our boss/friend Agustin and family during one of our consulting trips. Photos are all from summer last year...

Here I am standing next to our exotic Anthurium Plowmanii Fruffles for which I got the name from dear blog friend Ger from Hoorn des Overvloeds.

This tropical plant was huge for transporting into our greenhouse!

A truly exotic gift from friends Heinz & Maria from Ristorante da Maria and Via col Vento Dublin.

This exotic Anthurium Plowmanii Fruffles is positioned near our bird feeding area under the tall dogwood tree. It is visible from our breakfast area.

Related link:
{HELP NEEDED Identifying this Plant!} | previous post by me about tropical plant
Kiss My Skinny...Ankles | blog post by Catherine of Corner of Cat's Mind about: The slimmer you are, the more clothes you can buy on sale

Mariette on Google+

{Our Bird Cages from Exotic Indonesia}

2013-04-30T10:58:00.000-04:00

Living and working in Indonesia did give us many opportunities for exploring exotic places and also for finding unique gifts to bring home with us.
On November 29 of 1999 we did go to a huge market for birdcages. Pasar Ngasem west of Kraton Palace was the place to go to!
Speaking the language is always helpful in finding out where exactly to go for certain items. In one of our hotels in Yogyakarta those birdcages were hanging above the buffet line in the restaurant. It was at the Hotel Santika Jogja. Make sure to click on Gallery when opening this hyperlink.
Most people have no idea how exotic Indonesia really is!

This is the one hanging in our Veranda...

Also did get one for dear friend Becky.

Those were the days we could still travel with additional luggage; not as many restrictions then!

Two large ones, now finding me two smaller ones... One for my sister Diny and one hangs in our Living Room. Links are shown below post.

How I would have loved to take lots of them home but when flying, there is a limit!

Asians in general do keep birds in cages so the choice is big!

Does any of you have a bird or a bird cage for decoration?

This makes a nice Indonesian corner in our Veranda (see link below post) with the Bali wood carved statue and the Balinese silk batik, framed on the wall. The larger bird cage just hangs from the ceiling down, in front of my hand crocheted curtains.

The blue Delftware houses show that we made many trips back and forth to Indonesia; 21 times we went for work on KLM, Royal Dutch Airlines.

The smaller one, hanging in our Living Room, see link below post.

This is available here in the USA from Cost Plus World Market... and you also find them here on their FB Cost Plus World Market's Page. We came home with our bird cages on the plane; four of them and we paid probably a fraction of the sales price elsewhere with our Rupiah 250,000 but that is also several years ago. It was at the time we were still millionairs... see post about that below as well!

Related links:
Santika Indonesia Hotels & Resorts | link to FB Fan Page
{Our Veranda} | previous post by me where you can see the large bird cage
{Our Living Room} | previous post by me where you can see the smaller bird cage
{Winter Sale | At the time we were Millionaires} | previous post by me

Mariette on Google+

{BIRTHDAY}

2013-04-29T15:51:00.000-04:00

April 29 is dear husband Pieter's Birthday! We both are grateful for yet another year together after all our health problems. Pieter is going strong and has worked so hard the past couple of months. He did put a multiplex board floor on our attic and he compacted the viscose insulation to work it in an even layer underneath those boards. Installing a railing on the pull-out stairs and also installing lights with a hotel switch so it will turn itself off automatically, IF we would forget... Proud of my handy-man and let's hope that God will grant him many more years in good health.

Related link:
{Royal Wedding invitation + PIETER's Birthday!} | previous post by me

Mariette on Google+

{Our Russian Icon - The Mother of God of Smolensk }

2013-04-28T18:06:00.000-04:00

Not only do we love East European music but also its very rich culture in general. So it just came naturally that Pieter did purchase this rare and beautiful 17th Century Russian Icon - The Mother of God of Smolensk.

Here she is; very old, directly painted onto wood in a beautiful manner.

The symbolics

A closeup

Our Religious corner in our living room (minus the bottles of course!)...

CHRISTIE'S THE MOTHER OF GOD OF SMOLENSK (link)

CHRISTIE'S auction of course is about a very ancient 16th Century Icon of The Mother of God of Smolensk but it does give some interesting insight.

We do have the Dutch book: De wereld der Ikonen, Historisch, theologisch en esthetisch belicht

The world of Icons, Historical, theological and aesthetic highlighted

Author is Dr. W. Theunissen

Inscribed:

Ikonen halen de hemel neerwaarts en trekken

de aarde omhoog. Zij zijn als vensters op de Eeuwigheid.

W. Theunissen

Translated:

Icons get the heaven downwards and pull up the earth.

They are like windows to the Eternity.

W. Theunissen

{Our Apartment in Cornuda, TV, Italy}

2013-04-27T16:28:00.000-04:00

Just to give you an idea where we lived in Italy, while working there one year. We left for Italy, from Pennsylvania, using the Italian Consulate in Philadelphia for all our paperwork. All our belongings went again into a 40-foot container across the ocean, back to Europe. Little did we know that in the harbor of Genua there was a strike so we had to make do 8 weeks without our belongings. Only what we carried in our 4 suitcases was all we had. We lived in an apartment at the top. We had bought a lot for building a house later...

That's the apartment building; part of it... Right above the coffee shop sign: BAR BELVEDERE you see two balconies. Those were ours at the time. One was from the kitchen and one from the living room.

Underneath the BAR sign was the entrance and via an elevator we went up.

To the right you could enter the very narrow parking garage. We just barely could fit our Ford Escort.

Dad's Ford Fiesta that we had to borrow to drive to Italy from The Netherlands, fit a lot better!

That's where we lived. Close to Venice in the Veneto Region.

Cornuda in the Province of Treviso, in Italy.

I did use Google maps because each time when we flew over this region, the weather was not clear enough and our cameras not good enough...

That's the map of Italy and you can see the snow in the Alps above.

Driving to the south to Sicily was as far as driving north to The Netherlands.

Italy is a very long, stretched out country!

The yellow marked places are Cornuda, below, where we lived. Pederobba where we worked and where the office was with two big mushroom farms and packaging. Quero, where yet another mushroom farm was, an older one.

That was in the mountains, on the foothills of the Dolomites and along the river Piave.

I've never had a more romantic drive, very scenic, to my work as in the spring of 1989 when I drove to Quero.

By the way, Pieter was in the hospital of Valdobiadene, that's where artist Mirella SOTGIU made that beautiful chalk drawing from me. See link to that post below.

Here you could reach the back of the apartment and the parking garages, very limited in number though! To the left you still see the two balconies that were ours.

Stepping back from the apartments. You see there is parking adjacent to the building and that's what we had to use mostly. There was a dirt road going up the hill to an old farmstead with horse stables. We have walked up there several times. It is mountainous.

Here you get a little bit of an idea about the hilly part.

This is from another angle, from a side street. The two left balconies at the top was where we lived.
Below the apartment were shops.

Here I've marked the bottom of our balconies 'yellow'... that gives again a view up.

Shops below and also showing the parking places.

This is just around the corner and I only wanted to show the shop Rosetto where before was a gift shop for luxury items. There I sold lots of my imports in consignment. The lady was saddened when I left...
Zooming in on the streetlevel I used the Google map from this link. Interesting how we still can visit places where we lived by using Google! At the time we worked and lived in Italy we have made very few photos. Studying in the beginning each day a lesson Dutch-Italian and working 6-days a week did not leave much space for other things. But we enjoyed living there for almost one year. Not so much the fact that building there had to be following the rules for the earthquake region. That meant we had to put as much 'money' in the ground as above by constructing with big concrete pillars in the ground, a thick concrete foundation and all walls had to be very thick concrete as well. We went back to Georgia, USA where we have no earthquakes... But we miss the shopping as Italy is the best country for design, for jewelry, for leather goods like shoes and hand bags and also for lingerie... The food part we can find here as well and we are lucky with our Italian friend and Lady Chef Maria from Ristorante da Maria and coffee & wine bar Via col Vento Dublin!

Related link:
{HELP ME FIND ITALIAN ARTIST M. SOTGIU mother of Luigi Tramarollo} | previous post by me with photos from the River Piave
{YES, I did find the Italian artist who did my chalk drawing!} | previous post by me

Mariette on Google+

{Hats & Me}

2013-04-26T18:22:00.000-04:00

As a young girl I always had to stand on my toes, nose against the window, when walking past the Millinery Shop 'Bonneterie Van de Beuken in the Steenstraat of Horst my birth place.
My favorite Great Aunt Nelly or 'Oud Tante Nelly', the wife of my Paternal Great-Uncle Handrie, brother of my Grandmother and her sister Mia, did make such lovely hats.
I always have admired the special bows, roses, pearls and ribbons they used as embellishment for those elegant hats. Mom used to buy her hats at their shop!
The very same Great Aunt Nelly, has instilled in me, my love for fine china and silver ware.
Whenever I did sew for her a dress or suit, I did visit with her after High Mass on Sunday for fitting.
She always did serve me coffee with pastry in her fine china.
One never knows how such early encounters at a young and tender age do impact our lifestyle... For sure, Tante Nelly will be smiling down from heaven...

On August 25, 1984 I had found this matching hat, with veil... to go with my Royal Stuart Scottish Tartan plaid.
Husband Pieter went to England for the British Mushroom Days, by himself and he found at the Scotch House in London a wool shawl, matching gloves and this fabric in a Scottish Royal Stuart Tartan plaid.
So I did sew this pencil skirt out of the fabric. Later I have hemmed up the skirt and I still have it.

The shoes and skirt I still have...

Too bad that the Scotch House has been shut up by the end of 2001.

Just read: The Telegraph - Scotch House to shut up shop.

Pieter used to buy several things there; already for his little daughter Lizzy a Scottish Tartan skirt when she was a toddler.

Are you covering your head with a hat?

If only for the sun in summer; that still counts!

Related link:
{My Jessica McClintock Hat & Christian Dior Suit} | previous post by me
Life is better with a hat | previous post by friend Bea from Modern Country Lady
My Life in Hats | previous post by blogger Marie-Thérèse from The French Touch

Mariette on Google+

{Sisters Dressed Like Twins}

2013-04-25T17:20:00.000-04:00

Most of us that do have sisters probably have been dressed by our parents like twins. At least, my sister Diny, 19 months younger than I am, and I have been dressed like that by our Mom. Even in later life we did manage to get back to that 'TWIN' feeling...

This was in February 1999 when we just had arrived from Atlanta, Georgia/USA to the Netherlands. This is at my parents' home. Diny just received my gift of a Laurèl (by Escada) jeans suit with top. The price tags are still on the table, next to my elbow... That was fun! For me a size 34, American 4 and for Diny a size 38 or 8.

I still have mine and it fits.

This outfit I had bought also at the Escada Outlet and mailed it to my sister Diny in The Netherlands in December of 1996. This photos shows us getting together as TWINS once more on April 3, 1997.

Fun again. Even though I could not get the same rib cord top for her, it is still the very same collection.

The skirt came unlined but I guess Diny is showing here some kind of slip...

The men wanted to see who is the tallest of the two...

Guess there was no difference in height!

It sure was fun to pull this off once more!

Have you dressed like TWINS in your later years?

Related link:
Tweeling? | Twins? post by Willy from De Tante van Tjorven
Escada at Premium Outlets

Mariette on Google+

{Our Dutch Atlas Zaanse Wall Clock in Oak}

2013-04-24T19:00:00.000-04:00

Maybe you already did see our Dutch Zaanse Wall Clock in my previous post about Our Dining Room. Link you find below this post.
It was a clock that I bought just before my wedding in 1972.
I recall that due to the gas being on coupons (gasoline distrubution due to limited availability because of an oil crisis), one jewelry store refused to deliver and hang it for us.
But this is what we ended up with, the oak version of a very stately Dutch Atlas Zaanse Wall Clock.

At the top you see 'ATLAS' holding the world on his shoulders. He is standing on the metal bell that is being struck by a metal hammer every full and half hour.

Detail showing 'ATLAS' bearing the weight of the world...

It is inscribed in Old Dutch: NU ELCK SYN SIN

NOW EACH GETS HIS WAY

The cast metal figures represent Faith, Hope and Charity.

The entire clock shows beautiful ornate brass design work.

The dial plate is mounted on black velvet.

Some describe the dial plate as being surrounded with four cherub angels but I'm not sure about that.

Anybody with more information about these ancient figures, please let me know!

This is where ours resides.

The pear shaped brass gilt metal weights need to be pulled up every 8 days.

The pendulum shows a rider on a horse.

They seem to have been made also in Rosewood as is shown here at a Christie's auction.

Christie's A DUTCH BRASS-MOUNTED ROSEWOOD WALL CLOCK 'ZAANSE STOELKLOK'

CHRISTIE'S A DUTCH BRASS-MOUNTED ROSEWOOD WALL CLOCK 'ZAANSE STOELKLOK' this Christie's link shows even more antique Zaanse Wall Clocks. Just click them to find out.

Any information is welcome!

Related link:
{Our Dining Room} | previous post by me
As Time Flies | post by Delores from Vignette Design showing her clocks

Mariette on Google+